Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr has been dealt an unexpected blow in the midterms, with his Senate candidates set to pick up fewer seats than expected, according to early results. The election was a showdown between Marcos and his Vice-President Sara Duterte, daughter of former president Rodrigo Duterte.

Midterm elections in the Philippines are underway, with over 18,000 positions at stake, but the spotlight is on a high-stakes political feud between President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte.

Philippine voters delivered a blow to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and a boost to the controversial Duterte clan, whose performance in midterm elections Monday shows they may have a chance to regain the nation’s highest office in 2028.